The Apostle Paul’s One-Liners

The apostle Paul was never one to mince words.  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he had a knack for writing concise, memorable quips mixed in with his more lengthy doctrinal arguments.  The following list of 66 “one-liners” are taken, in order of appearance, from each of the thirteen New Testament epistles that are known to be of Pauline authorship.  Each stands by itself as a useful saying as well as fitting in with the context of Paul’s larger theme.  Many do not represent complete verses, but each represents a complete thought.  This list is by no means exhaustive.

  1. Professing to be wise, they became fools.  Romans 1:22
  2. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a debased mind. Romans 1:28
  3. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  Romans 8:8
  4. If God is for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31
  5. I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying  Romans 9:1
  6. Note then the kindness and the severity of God.  Romans 11:22
  7. Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21
  8. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God  Romans 14:12
  9. Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  1Cor 1:13
  10. Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  1Cor 1:20
  11. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power.  1Cor 4:20
  12. Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?  1Cor 6:2
  13. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 1Cor 8:1
  14. If anyone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.  1Cor 8:2
  15. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.  1Cor 8:3
  16. Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?  1Cor 9:7
  17. I do not box as one beating the air.  1Cor 9:26
  18. Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  1Cor 10:12
  19. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.  1Cor 10:24
  20. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.  1Cor 11:1
  21. Does not nature itself teach you that it is shameful for a man to have long hair?  1Cor 11:14
  22. If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.  1Cor 11:31
  23. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.  1Cor 12:1
  24. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 1Cor 14:18
  25. Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. 1Cor 14:20
  26. All things should be done decently and in order.  1Cor 14:40
  27. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  1Cor 15:26
  28. Act like men, be strong. 1Cor 16:13
  29. Let all that you do be done in love.  1Cor 16:14
  30. All the promises of God find their “Yes” in Him.  2Cor 1:20
  31. We walk by faith not by sight.  2Cor 5:7
  32. For the love of Christ controls us. 2Cor 5:14
  33. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2Cor 5:17
  34. What accord has Christ with Belial?  2Cor 6:15
  35. God loves a cheerful giver. 2Cor 9:7
  36. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.  2Cor 12:15
  37. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?  Gal 4:16
  38. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! Gal 5:12
  39. If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18
  40. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked.  Galatians 6:7
  41. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.  Eph 2:1
  42. That is not the way you learned Christ!  Eph 4:20
  43. Make the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Eph 5:16
  44. Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Phil 1:27
  45. Do all things without grumbling or disputing.  Phil 2:14
  46. Our citizenship is in heaven.  Phil 3:20
  47. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Phil 4:13
  48. For in Him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily.  Col 2:9
  49. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  Col 3:3
  50. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  Col 3:6
  51. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.  Col 3:23
  52. God has not destined us for wrath.  1Thess 5:9
  53. Pray without ceasing.  1Thess 5:17
  54. Do not despise prophecies.  1Thess 5:18
  55. I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.  1Thess 5:27
  56. They are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  2Thess 2:10
  57. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.  2Thess 2:11
  58. If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  2Thess 3:10
  59. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart, and a sincere faith and a good conscience.  1Tim 1:5
  60. If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  1Tim 6:8
  61. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  2Tim 2:3
  62. Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  2Tim 3:1
  63. All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  2Tim 3:12
  64. All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.  2Tim 3:16
  65. They profess to know God, but deny Him by their deeds.  Titus 1:16
  66. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self.  Philemon 1:19